A/N at bottom
1756
Matthieu was, to say the least, absolutely miserable. Every day kept him on his toes, and Francis wasn't making it any better. While Ludwig and Romano tried their best, they weren't at the risk of being torn apart from their families. Everyday he had to listen to Francis boast about his war efforts, and every day Matthieu had to smile and pretend that the knot in his stomach wasn't growing exponentially. So when he came home to the sound to Francis drunkenly singing, he attempted to sneak up the stairs as quietly as he thought possible. Unfortunately, Francis had better ears than he thought.
"Matthieu, please, come join me." Matthieu sighed and, holding back the urge to throw himself off of the stairs, shuffled into the kitchen.
"Oui, Francis?" Francis straightened his shoulders and grinned.
"I have cause for celebration!"
"What? What happened!?" Francis' face was glowing.
"Ah, Matthieu! Did you ever doubt me?" Francis took a sip of his wine. "It just so happens we've had a victory at Fort Oswego." Francis kept a smug look on his face as he crossed arms, waiting for Matthieu's response.
"Francis, that's... fantastic!"
Matthieu didn't know much about Fort Oswego, but he knew that the English had been planning to use the Oswego River to take Fort Niagara, but they never did. Ever since then, the British had been maintaining the fort, sitting there like some sort of British plague infecting the river. Their presence had upset Matthieu from the beginning, and he was happy to say that with them gone, the weight on his stomach felt a little less heavy.
"So, if the war keeps going the way it has been, we're sure to drive out Angleterre!" Francis was beaming. Though he never doubted his ability to fight, he never doubted England's ability to match his pace.
"...If? If the war keeps going the way it has been?"
"Well, oui. And it's been going well! Please stop worrying, that's my job."
"Francis, I'm not a child anymore!" Matthieu hated how stupid that sounded out loud, but it was true. If they lost this war, Francis wouldn't be there to protect him.
"Matthieu, we won't lose. Please, it's enough pressure on my own, but if you can't even trust me it's not going to help."
"I... I know."
"So will you please stop worrying about it?"
"Fine. I guess you're right. I won't worry."
"Good. Now go to bed, it's late."
That night, Matthieu slept better than he had for the past month.
A/N
Thanks for reading! As always, criticisms are greatly appreciated! Next chapter next Friday!